IS BED REST A GOOD TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN?

Traditionally, bed rest was the recommended treatment for back pain. However, recent studies show that bed rest is counterproductive and often detrimental in treating back pain. Bed rest allows muscles to de-condition and significantly slows the rate of recovery from acute back pain. The recommended activity modification for patients with back pain is to stop whatever activity causes back pain. Specifically, if bending and lifting cause back pain, then avoid bending and lifting. If a twisting motion causes back pain then stop that. However, persons with back pain should remain as active as possible as long as they are not having pain. Bed rest should only be used in cases where it is specifically advised by doctor and in limited conditions like TB , tumour or fracture or if the patient is having severe pain and cannot even tolerate simple activities of daily living, such as standing, walking, or sitting without suffering severe pain.